"Oh... thank you."
Charlotte whispered, her face flushing slightly as she lowered her gaze shyly. Lyudmila's observation was sharp, as usual nothing escaped her notice, as if she had been there silently watching from behind the trees.
"You have a keen insight."
Charlotte added shyly, but Lyudmila did not stop expressing her admiration for Charlotte finally harmonizing with Leonid.
She stepped forward, gently took Charlotte's hand, then smiled warmly at her.
"Oh, don't say that..."
Lyudmila replied kindly, then added:
"To be honest? Anyone can see how well you two match."
"Anyone?… I think you're exaggerating."
Charlotte smiled embarrassedly, gently pulling her hand back from Lyudmila's, but a masculine voice cut through the awkward moment:
"No, she's not exaggerating."
Leonid said calmly, his expression neutral, before wrapping his arm around Charlotte's waist and pulling her toward him with a natural movement that confirmed Lyudmila's words without needing them.
"We're more compatible than we seem."
"Oh, that's so exciting!"
Lyudmila exclaimed happily and clapped again.
"I know."
Leonid replied with a slight smile.
"No. Not exciting at all."
Daniel's voice came suddenly, breaking the mood out of jealousy. He stepped forward sharply and stood in the middle, his shyness completely gone as he stared sharply at Leonid, then turned to Lyudmila:
"My dear, would you like a short walk in the garden before the guests arrive?"
"A nice and refreshing idea. Well, let's go."
Daniel opened his arm in a gentle invitation; Lyudmila smiled and linked her arm with his, then waved to Charlotte and Leonid.
"See you later~"
Leonid responded with a slight silent nod, then quietly took Charlotte toward the kitchen, his hand on her waist, weaving harmony even in their steps.
The music, the colorful balloons, and the lively cottage atmosphere gave the place a dreamy vibe, just like Lyudmila's spirit, and that made Charlotte feel a little suffocated.
After a few steps, Leonid stopped in front of the fridge, opened it quietly, and took out a bottle of water. He glanced sideways at Charlotte and raised an eyebrow:
"Do you want some?"
"No, thanks."
She answered despite being distracted.
Leonid closed the fridge, opened the bottle with one hand, took a sip, then closed it again.
Charlotte was still lost in her thoughts, staring at his hand resting on her waist. Suddenly, his fingers began to tap gently, as if playing a hidden rhythm on her skin.
She blinked, looked at him quickly, only to be surprised by a quick kiss on her lips. Her eyes widened, and she pulled away quickly, frowning.
"What are you doing?! You'll ruin my makeup!"
"Come on... it's just a kiss, it won't make a difference."
Charlotte pursed her lips and responded with silence, then slipped her hand into the side pocket of his pants.
"Oh, darling... where are you putting your hand now?"
Leonid asked mockingly, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, but Charlotte ignored him and quickly pulled out her phone:
"I'm just taking my phone out!"
Leonid chuckled lightly at her nervous reply and said:
"Ah, that spirit again, calm down, my dear, I was just joking."
He raised a finger and tapped her cheek twice before lowering his hand to gently adjust her necklace.
His fingers continued to caress her soft skin, taking advantage of Charlotte's distraction as she checked her lip gloss through the front camera of her phone. His eyes silently followed her neck, as if it were a never-tiring painting.
"By the way, I wasn't trying to come between you and Lyudmila."
Leonid whispered, breaking the silence as he touched the edge of her necklace one last time before slowly pulling his hand away.
"But you seemed like you needed an escape from that conversation."
Charlotte closed her phone smoothly and slipped it back into his pants pocket. A heavy silence passed, then she spoke softly:
"Did I really seem like someone who needed an escape?"
Leonid nodded briefly. Charlotte pursed her lips and whispered with mild seriousness:
"Well... maybe I was."
"And why?"
He asked, looking directly into her eyes.
"I mean, what's your relationship with Lyudmila? It seems... vague."
"Our relationship is complicated."
Charlotte sighed and added quietly:
"We know each other more than we show... to the point where I don't feel comfortable."
"Because she sees right through you? Isn't that a good thing?"
"No!"
Charlotte denied quickly, her voice bordering on nervousness, then hugged herself as if protecting her heart from exposure.
"The feeling of being too exposed... doesn't give you security, it makes you anxious all the time."
Leonid watched her dark eyes, then looked at her arms crossed tightly around her body. He knew how hard it was to be transparent, especially in front of those you don't want to see your fragility.
But he didn't ask more. He just said gently:
"Okay, that's fine... as long as you two aren't at odds."
Then he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gently pulled her closer.
Charlotte gradually rested her head on his chest slowly, replying tiredly:
"No, we're not... but sometimes I seem rude, and yet... Lyudmila knows who I am."
"She knows exactly who you are..."
He repeated her words, then leaned slightly and rested against the fridge behind him.
"But I also know you... and I see right through you. Does that bother you?"
"Please, even if you see through me... you're different."
Leonid smiled contentedly, his icy blue eyes sparkling with quiet possession:
"Oh, that's good... I'm glad I hold a deep place in your heart that makes you completely comfortable with me."
But Charlotte raised her head and looked at him seriously, with a hint of protest:
"And what about you?"
She stepped back to free herself from his arm, her eyes shining with both calm and curiosity.
"When will I see you clearly? When will I know who you really are... in your own world?"
Her question silenced Leonid for a moment. His inner voice retreated before returning lightly sarcastic:
"My dear... I'm always amazed by your delay, but that's okay. This time I promise, I am Leonid Kozlovich Volkov, I will tell you everything. Not today... nor tomorrow. Maybe soon, maybe on our wedding day, I don't know when I'll be free."
"Are you joking with me?"
"How do I look to you?"
"Very silly."
She frowned in displeasure, gently tapped his chest, then turned and left toward the living room, leaving him behind. Leonid remained leaning against the fridge, admiring Charlotte's back as she walked away steadily before deciding to follow her.
Time passed, and as Lyudmila's friends began to arrive, the real party started. Noise quickly filled every corner of the cottage mixed with the smell of alcohol, bursts of laughter, shouting, and unrestrained dancing to loud music.
Leonid was sitting on the couch, observing the diverse group of friends with curiosity. He hadn't expected such a large crowd, nor had it crossed his mind that Lyudmila would be surrounded by friends from so many different nationalities and cultures. The scene felt strange to him, nothing like what he was used to with Charlotte, who barely talked to four people… and he was one of them.
Thinking about it, he realized Charlotte was deeply introverted, while Lyudmila seemed naturally sociable.
The comparison between them didn't seem fair.
His thoughts were interrupted when his eyes fell on Charlotte. She was standing near Lyudmila, making a clear effort to participate in the conversation despite her tension.
In truth, he had expected her to be sitting next to him by now, but Lyudmila had insisted on introducing her to her friends. And so, Charlotte found herself moving between groups of men and women, trying to get to know them amid the loud chatter and blaring music.
Leonid watched her silently, a faint sense of pity touching him but not enough to make him step in. Deep down, he believed it was better for her to go through this moment on her own to learn how to initiate conversations and break down social barriers. Skills like that would serve her well… and serve him too, on their wedding day.
"Excuse me, handsome..."
Leonid instinctively raised his eyes toward the voice, and his gaze landed on a woman in a flowing red dress that clung smoothly to her figure. Her hair was styled to perfection, and her eyes held a mischievous mix of boldness and playfulness.
He paused for a moment, looking around.
Daniel wasn't nearby so this woman, who had appeared out of nowhere, was talking to him. He relaxed slightly before replying in a calm, disinterested tone:
"Can I help you?"
His voice was dry, devoid of warmth or curiosity. There was no softness in it to invite conversation, only quiet firmness.
But the woman laughed, as if what he'd said was the funniest thing she'd heard at the party.
"You're funny."
She said cheerfully, taking a small step closer to him before sitting beside him, tilting her head slightly with a playful tone:
"Actually, I think I'm the one who can help you. You seem... a little lonely in the middle of all this."
Leonid raised an eyebrow with faint criticism, then looked away from her, as if her words weren't worth a response.
She continued, taking his silence as an invitation:
"You know, a man like you shouldn't be standing alone. Guys like you don't get left on their own, right?"
Leonid replied without looking at her, his voice low, as if speaking to the air:
"And who said I was alone?"
She hesitated for a moment, but quickly regained her laugh, leaning toward him slightly, trying to draw his attention:
"So... with your friend?"
Leonid finally turned his face toward her, just a brief, direct glance. Not warm, not cold just a heavy silence that came before his words:
"No."
"Really?"
Her eyes widened in mild surprise.
"Then... with who—?"
He cut her off with a steady tone:
"With my fiancée."